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JOB VACANCY!!!!
MWEBENA MPONGWE

Mpongwe Mission Hospital joined the rest of the world in commemorating International Nurses Day

Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, Charles Milupi has officially launched the construction of the Luansobe-Machiya, Mpongwe-Machiya-Ngabwe Road and 20 kilometers of urban roads in Mpongwe and Ngabwe districts.

He said the $383.4 million project will be undertaken by concessionaire KPPM for a period of three years and that It will also involve Zambian sub-contractors.

Mr Milupi explained that the project involves the rehabilitation of 59.6 kilometers of road, the construction of 132 kilometers of new road, as well as the building of four strategic bridges. The project is also expected to create more than 500 jobs and stimulate economic activities in the area.

Mr. Milupi further disclosed that government has set aside 23.6 million US dollars for local subcontractors in a move aimed at empowering Zambian businesses and creating opportunities for local communities.

He reaffirmed government’s commitment to improving infrastructure development across the country and ensuring that projects are completed on time, within budget, and according to the required standards.

Meanwhile, Chief Machiya of the Lamba-speaking people has thanked the New Dawn Government for taking development to Mpongwe District.

What we have in the paper today!!!

Mpongwe Baptist Association given a thumbs up for offering a timely training in Smart Agriculture.

Farmers in Mpongwe have been stimulated to improve and increase yields by applying climate-smart agricultural techniques.

Mpongwe Baptist Association under the action for resilience programme, conducted a training for farmers on climate smart agriculture to equip them with the right techniques to increase yields amid climate change.
The farmers have been taught climate smart techniques such as crop diversification, intercropping and afforestation.

And Mpongwe District Agricultural coordinator Misheck Chiwele encouraged the farmers to apply the techniques and be ambassadors of change in the community,.
He also urged farmers to take the word to the communities to reduce deforestation and encourage planting of trees.

The DACO and the facilitators bemoaned the low productivity rate in Mpongwe despite farmers cultivating a large number of hectares. The yields most farmers in Mpongwe harvest per hectare are very low compared to the ideal yield per hectare.

The average yield in Mpongwe for a hectare i is marked between 40-60 50 kg bags while the ideal yield is between 100-200 50kg bags.
Meanwhile, MBA Operations Director Edwin Chipelelo also stressed that the Mpongwe Baptist Association is determined to train more farmers in climate-smart agriculture and promote afforestation through its tree planting project, where farmers are given free tree seedlings.

And MBA board chairman Justine Munkupa encouraged the farmers to be attending such workshops when called upon to improve productivity in farming.

Mpongwe District Commissioner Mwambashi Mwitwa has renewed calls for the construction of a district hospital, saying the move would ease mounting pressure on Mpongwe Mission Hospital which currently serves patients from Lufwanyama and Ngabwe districts as well.

Mr. Mwitwa spoke shortly after receiving Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Dr. Kennedy Lishimpi, who was in the district in the company of Copperbelt Provincial Health Director Dr. Charles Mwinuna.

During a courtesy call at the District Administration office, discussions focused on the long-standing proposal for a public hospital in Mpongwe. Mr. Mwitwa noted that the mission-run facility remains overstretched.

The District Commissioner also lobbied the Permanent Secretary to give rural districts priority in future health worker recruitments, pointing out that urban centers have access to both private and public facilities, while rural communities depend largely on government clinics.

On the supply of medicines, Mr. Mwitwa praised the government of President Hakainde Hichilema for maintaining drug stock levels above 80 percent across all health facilities in the district.

He said It can only take serious and committed leadership in government to sustain this trajectory.

The delegation later held talks with the board and management of the Mpongwe Baptist Association, which runs the mission hospital.

It was during that meeting that Dr. Mwinuna introduced a new Medical Superintendent, Dr. Nchimunya, a specialist in Gynaecology and Obstetrics.

And Mr. Mwitwa welcomed the deployment, describing it as a critical step toward improving maternal health and reducing deaths among expectant mothers in the district.

Hospital administrators also tabled several operational challenges before Dr. Lishimpi, who directed the DC’s office to work hand-in-hand with the Provincial Administration and the Provincial Health Director to formally document and escalate the issues to his office.

Dr. Lishimpi wrapped up his tour with an inspection of the maternity wing at Mpongwe Mission Hospital.

M.B.A Radio news

It’s World Press Freedom Day.
Mention a journalist or news reporter you know and make them feel special.

President Hakainde Hichilema has today officiated the Labour Day celebrations in Chinsali District of Muchinga Province.

This year’s celebrations are being held under the theme “Securing Zambia’s Future of Work: Protecting Jobs, Skills and Pensions for Decent Work for All,” while the global theme focuses on promoting a healthy psychosocial working environment.

Labour Day, commemorated annually on May 1st, is a day set aside to recognize and appreciate the contributions of workers in both the public and private sectors.

The Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) says it will soon begin the set-up of 2 milling plants and 1 edible oil processing plant in Mpongwe.

CEEC Director General Charles Muwe Mungule said the project is expected to be completed by July this year.

Mr. Mungule said the project is meant to enhance the livelihood of the local residents through job creation and wealth creation.

The processing plants will also provide local farmers with a readily available market for their produce within reach.

The Director General emphasized that the project is free of political interference and opportunities will be open to everyone regardless of political alignment.

He also implored journalists to put the commission to task over the project if it delays.

He was speaking during a tour of the proposed site for the milling plant in Chief Ndubeni’s area.

The plants will be placed in chief Machiya, chief Ndubeni and chief Lesa’s Chiefdoms.

The edible oil plant will be completed at an estimated cost of K16.5 Million and the Milling plant at the cost of K7.8 million.